All articles tagged with #hospital capacity
A devastating fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has resulted in 40 deaths and numerous injuries, with many missing persons including a 16-year-old boy and a promising golfer. The local hospital quickly reached capacity as victims were evacuated to other facilities. The resort, known for hosting elite ski events, is in shock as families search for loved ones amid ongoing investigations.
Lee Health is addressing concerns about nearing peak hospital capacity due to a large influx of patients, which has overwhelmed staff. The increase in emergency visits was described as "seasonal" and not verified as another COVID-19 spike. Hospital officials held a press conference to explain alternative services available for non-emergency patients and urged people to use MyChart application to check in for clinical appointments and to consult their primary physician for non-emergency symptoms. The system is running close to capacity, with hospital beds becoming a commodity, and alternative facilities are being recommended for those feeling ill.
Respiratory illnesses including RSV, flu, and COVID-19 are on the rise in Minnesota, while hospital bed space is limited. The state has lost nearly 1,000 hospital beds since December 2020, including a significant decrease in pediatric beds. The increase in RSV cases has further strained hospital capacity. A federal program is expanding to offer free telehealth care and at-home tests for COVID-19 and flu. Promising results for nasally inhaled COVID-19 vaccines have been published. COVID-19 levels are increasing across the state, particularly in assisted living and nursing facilities, with hospital admissions reaching their highest levels since mid-February. Experts recommend getting booster vaccines to combat the current rise in COVID-19 activity.
Health experts and hospital systems in Western Pennsylvania are reporting a decrease in the impact of Covid-19 on healthcare and everyday lives, with the number of deaths in the United States falling to pre-pandemic levels. While cautioning that the virus will remain present, experts emphasize that Covid-19 is now a more manageable disease due to the tools provided by science and medicine, such as vaccines and antivirals. They expect new variants to have less impact as the population becomes more immune. Wastewater testing is seen as the future of tracking the disease. Boosters are expected to be available in the fall, with a focus on the XBB variant of Omicron. Experts stress the importance of prioritizing high-risk individuals for booster shots. Hospitalizations and prevalence of Covid-19 have significantly decreased, but precautions are still advised to prevent infection and spread.